Put it in your box

I have often been asked how I organize my kid's school work. With at least 6 kids in school, all of them coming home daily with overflowing backpacks and folders this has been no easy feat. The system I started way back when Kara was in kindergarten has stood the test of time for us and has helped to keep my sanity and a little less clutter in our busy bustling household.



In my pantry (or behind my couch in our old house) each child has a box. This box is where they put everything that comes home. I look through the backpacks each day, jot down in my planner due dates etc, and then they put it all in their box. By the end of the year the boxes are overflowing.

The first week of summer is when I sort (Or I pay my daughter who is desperately trying to earn money for EFY to sort for me). One by one each box is emptied and sorted into piles. One pile for spelling tests, one for math papers, art projects, writing assignments, etc. When it is all sorted I then go through each pile and pick one or two papers from each pile to represent that subject. The rest goes in a big trash sack. Generally, I don't let the younger kids see what I am throwing out because they want to keep everything. I keep all of the awards, notes from teachers, and anything that is journal like. My older kids now can sort their own. They know to take a sample from each class they took and they know that most of it can be thrown out. When I am done I have a nice, neat, and relatively small stack of papers, awards and art projects that is a pretty good overview of the year. I then put that pile in a file folder with my child's name, teacher, school and year on it. (This process is a little time consuming, but my kids help me and it is so satisfying to finish and haul the huge bag of trash out to the recycle bin.)

And then I happily file it away. Kara's box is almost full. One more folder to add and then her box is complete. I like that when she gets married or moves out I will hand her this box, one simple box filled with her work from pre-school to senior year, all organized and neat. Just the way I like things!

My favorite things- quotes, sayings and scriptures!

Some may like to call me a brain washer. And maybe I am. But when you're brainwashing about good things is it really that bad? I like to put different quotes up around my house to help motivate, inspire or just brighten my kids day. Here are just a few of them:

When I was a young adult I saw this on someones door as I was leaving their house and it had a powerful impact on me. I remember thinking, yes, every time you walk out the door you are in the mission field and you need to act accordingly. I made a mental note that I would put that same sign in my house someday. And I did. And it still has an impact on me every time I leave my house each day.

I read this in a New Era article and again was moved. I wanted my kids to see it and be reminded of it daily. I felt it was applicable to the times and what my kids may be facing each day.

This is just on the refrigerator in my basement where my teenagers hang out. Simple, yet meaningful.

This is my favorite. The scripture for which I hope my children can base all their decisions and their lives. Building on a sure foundation. Building their lives and everything they do around their Savior. With a promise that if they do they will not fall, no matter what is thrown at them. I love it and hope they read it often, I know I do. It gives me hope. These quotes inspire me. They motivate me. They are powerful to me. And my hope is that even if one of them touches one of my children in some way--

than all my brainwashing was worth it!

My favorite things-walking!

I really love the location of my house. Location Location Location. That's what they say when you are buying a house. We tried to do that and one of the things that I love about our location is how close we are to our church and the kids schools. I love it, and I am reminded how much I love it each time I send them out the door.
I love that my kids walk. Walk to church. Walk to mutual. Walk to school. Walk home from school. Elementary and Junior High. Walk in the sunshine. Walk in the rain. Walk in the snow. Call it unfair, and sometimes they do, but they just walk no matter the weather. I love that it gives them a little bit of exercise. I love that they have a little bit of time while they are walking home to unwind and release some energy. I love that they can socialize, not only with other neighbor kids, but with each other. I just love that they are out in this beautiful world no matter what mother nature is throwing at them. Oh, and I guess I love that it's one less place I have to chauffeur them around to. Yep, walking to school, one of my favorite things, for sure!

Fridays Favorites-Livin in a college town

I love living in (OK, minutes from) a college town. There really isn't anything like it. It is the college where both Trevor and I went to, our beloved Alma Mater. It is the college where we learned the skills we still use today to support and raise our family. It is the college where all the memories and feelings come rushing back every time we go there and walk through the beautiful campus. It is BYU and we all love it! Our kids were practically born loving BYU. And every time the fall football season comes around you can find us decked out in our BYU blues and cheering on our cougars!

We love going to the games. There is excitement in the air. The freeway is packed. The BYU flags are blowing in the wind on all the cars. The faces are painted. The money for stadium treats is ready to be spent. And as we settle into our seats we are ready to "Rise and Shout" for any touchdown.

Sometimes that opportunity comes often....

...sometimes it doesn't. But with the thrill of victory also comes the agony of defeat. It's all part of the game.

The game that we love.

Yes, we are BYU!

We are tried and true cougars.

We bleed blue, everyone of us in good times and in bad.

Tradition.

Spirit.

Honor.

That's who we are, it's where our heart is and always will be.

Rah, rah rah rah rah

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO COUGARS!

Fridays Favorites- My Scout drawer

I am completely involved in Scouts. I have to be with 4 boys. I don't really have a choice. What I do have a choice on is how I approach the whole scouting thing, my attitude about it and how my feelings towards scouts will affect my boys. I made the choice when Tyler started 6 years ago to love Scouts. And I really do. I love Scouts. I truly believe my boys are better boys because of scouting. They have been exposed to things they never would have without scouts. They have learned a lot. I have learned a lot. We have learned together and most of it has been really fun. (For example, the dentistry merit badge. How can it be bad for a boy to learn how to really take care of their teeth, what happens if you don't, and about a possible career in dentistry. It was one of my favorites!)

Scouting, in my opinion, does require a little bit of organization. When we started I didn't know what I was doing. A great lady in my ward gave me a sheet of paper with her scouting suggestions on it. I have clung to those suggestions and my path along the scout trail with my boys has been a lot easier because of it. One suggestion was to have a scout drawer. I followed that suggestion and have been so glad I did. I put everything in it. All the scout books, any merit badge earned, merit badge worksheets, merit badge books, calendars from each den. This way I always know where my stuff is. I just recently had to help Tyler fill out his Eagle application. We went to the scout drawer and had all the info we needed right there. It was a lifesaver and saved tons of time. My very full and overflowing scout drawer is definitely one of my favorite things!

Friday's Favorites -Get a bowl..quick!

Years ago when one of our oldest kids got sick for the first time, we had minutes before the big upheaval. I yelled for Trevor to grab a bowl. To my utter disgust he came running up the stairs with my saucepan in his hand! A big silver pot with a handle was his choice for the barf bowl and he got there with seconds to spare. (He could have at least brought the lid along so we could cover up the vomit!) Sick! Now was I expected to just wash it out and then go cook up some soup or stroganoff or something? I don't think so. Since that sickness we have also had many episodes where we have had more than one kid sick at the same time. I sometimes felt like we were ships passing in the night, each with a full bowl in hand headed to different bathrooms to empty, rinse and return.

One saucepan could not have handled that sickness.

So now, some of my favorite things are my throw up bowls. I got them at the dollar store. I have 6 of them. They are kept upstairs, where all the bedrooms are and hence all the sick kids would be. They are next to the towels which are also a necessity during this type of sickness. The kids have written messages on some of them with sharpies, like 'feel better soon' or 'it stinks to be sick' The best part, we don't have to eat our food out of them when they are not being used! Thank you very much.

And yes, I tidied the closet before I took this picture.

I sure wish it still looked that way.

Friday's Favorites-My brain

As I type this I am anxiously awaiting my new planner to arrive in the mail. I can't wait! I am going crazy with a current planner that ends on September 26th. I have little scraps of paper all over the place with things that need to be done or scheduled after September 26th and no where to write them down. This little planner of mine is definitely one of my favorite things because it is personalized AND cheap!

For years I was using a planner from BYU that was almost $20. But, I liked it and so every year made the trek down to BYU to get a new one. Then Trevor's wonderful cousin Ellen showed me her planner. She ordered it from Costco.com. It was exactly the same format as my old one, AND you got to pick the cover, put your own pictures in it AND it was only $5.50! I was sold! On my outgoing planner I had my family stand in the front yard and they were all holding something that I had to help them with or do for the front picture. This year I put a picture of all of us on our fantastic vacation to Oregon.

This planner really is my brain. It is what keeps this family running fairly smoothly. Without it I am lost and therefore my family would be lost. So I am grateful for a new brain that is personalized (I get to look at my cute family each time I open it up and remember why I run like a chicken with my head cut off most days) and is is cheap! Now that's my kind of brain! Thanks Costco!

My Favorite Things-closet organziers

My kids closets can get so messy and cluttered-and I hate clutter! At an enrichment meeting someone mentioned these shoe holders to help with organization. I immediately thought of my boys room with their millions of bionicles and Lego creations. My problem was solved. I bought these organizers at Wal-mart for about $6-8. I bought one for every one of my kids rooms. I do not use the fasteners that come with them though because they will ruin the top of the closet. So I buy those hooks that you put on with the sticky strip that you can pull off when you want without tearing off the paint (I can't remember what they are called, but they come in a pack) I just measure those hooks up with the holes on the shoe organizer and up they go!
My boys actually have three of these hanging up in their rooms, one inside each closet door. They are filled with bionicles and Lego sets that they don't want to take apart. I love them for getting these toys off of the floor and dressers, and I also love that when I shut the closet the room can look pretty tidy (most of the time!)

In my girls room it just holds all of the little treasures that my girls collect. They hold microphones, pads of paper, barbies, costume jewelry, books, little notes, trinkets and all kinds of other stuff that doesn't really have a place, but thanks to these organizers now they do! They could also be used in the bathroom for headbands, flowers, bows etc and I have also seen them used inside a pantry door for gravy packets, small food items, pasta etc. These have been a lifesaver to me in my quest for a more clutter free home and are definitely some of my favorite things!

Favorite things-working man

Definitely one of my most favorite things is this sight.

I feel blessed to have a husband who works from home. He is very dedicated and disciplined. I love that I can pop into his office anytime of the day for a little chat, to run something by him or just for a quick hug and kiss. I love that the kids can come home from school and show dad the things they have made or done right when it's fresh and exciting. I love that he can come to most daytime school performances or pick up from pre-school when I am in a bind. I love that we get to eat lunch together everyday. I love that he doesn't have a commute. I love that he always helps me bring in the groceries during the day. I basically just love having him home, close to me and the kids and for the opportunity I have to see his cute hard working face as I whip by his office door a million times a day.

We are thankful every day for Trevor's job and the blessings it brings into our lives. I am so thankful for a husband who works very hard and sacrifices so much for our family. This guy truly tops my list of favorite things.
I am one lucky girl!

My favorite things-lunch in less than a minute!

I wanted to record some of the things that make me happy, or that make my life easier or that just make me smile, basically my favorite things. Here's just one of them;

Mornings are pretty hectic around our house as we all try to get ready and out the door at different times. One of the things I hated most was packing lunches for my kids. It messed up my kitchen as I made the sandwiches, cracker and cookie boxes were left out and often times I just ran out of time so they had to buy a school lunch when it was something I knew they wouldn't eat (Like hairy hot dogs that my kids say are served, at my school we had green hot dogs!) So I came up with a plan and it has worked and has therefore become one of my favorite things.

This is my lunch packing drawer. Every morning the kids will read the lunch menu from the school and if it is something they don't want then they simply open up the lunch drawer. In it there are lunch sacs and a pen to write their name with. They then proceed to pick one drink, one thing from the chip basket, one dessert and one fruit cup and spoon.

They then open the freezer and grab a sandwich or bagel with cream cheese and their lunch is complete. It takes less than a minute for them to pack their own lunches and they get to choose what they want. Now, before I started this I did a test. I made several different types of sandwiches and then froze them. I kept them frozen for three weeks and then thawed them and ate them myself. They tasted fine to me and so they passed the test. I restock the baskets every week, usually right when I get home from the grocery store and have everything out. I put different chips and cookies in snack bags and then throw them in the baskets. And then I lay out a whole loaf of bread and make my sandwiches all at once. Not too much time on my part and a much smoother morning for all! Definitely a favorite!